Hey, how come Kings Island Amusement Park that was in Cincinnati, Ohio had Tiki stuff?? Anybody got any photos or things to share? I couldn't find too much out and was wondering about it and maybe someone else is too.

Here's a nice set of Salt and Peppers I saw from there:

And those aren't some weak shakers either!! Classic Kona Kai style by OMC!

The peanut style Tiki Mug on the right:

And this Ship Fogcutter mug on the far right too:

Here's the back of these two mugs that was posted by Caffeinated last year:

Just wondering about why these were out there. Was there a Tiki Restaurant? Polynesian themed ride? Tiki Poles? Did they serve Mai Tai's as you walked around and went from ride to ride?? Not likely but who knows?

Here's some boring information about the Park but still no mention or clue about the Tiki connection, if any:

"Kings Island broke-ground on June 15, 1970 and first opened its gates on April 29, 1972 in what was then Deerfield Township (close to Cincinnati, Ohio), developed by the Taft Broadcasting Company. Taft Broadcasting took the name from the previous landlord, the defunct King Powder Company, which founded the town of Kings Mills for its workers. The site is between I-71 and the Little Miami River. The park remained in Deerfield Township until it was annexed into the city of Mason in 1997.
Kings Island served as a replacement for Coney Island, a popular park on the Ohio River about 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Cincinnati. Although Coney Island was very highly-regarded and successful, frequent floods forced the landlocked park to relocate to higher ground, closing after the 1971 season, but has since reopened on a much smaller scale. Many of the rides from Coney Island were moved to the new park; the only attraction left at Coney at the time was Sunlite Pool, the world's largest swimming pool, which has operated every single year since 1926.
The park received some of its first nationwide promotion from two ABC sitcoms filming episodes there: The Partridge Family in 1972, and, more famously, The Brady Bunch the following year. While they do not mention the name of the park, they do call it "a new park outside Cincinnati." Coincidentally, the latter was produced by eventual owners Paramount".

It's still open and is one of the third most visited Amusement Parks in North America. Did these Kings Island relics even come from this particular Park?
TabooDan

The other issue you'll run into is that it's constantly being revisioned as it seems to keep getting bought and sold. I've grown up in Ohio and been going there pretty consistently since I was in grade school. I don't remember there being a tiki bar/restaurant in there but that doesn't mean it didn't exist, if not for a little while. I'll see what I can dig up. I know there are a lot of KI fan-sites that may have some run down on the history. I found that Fogcutter cup recently at a thrift store. I'd like to know more as well.

Maybe some of the original partners/investors are still alive, and could be researched and emailed with said question? I find alot of the time, you can find someone of direct connection to an establishment, not far from where it was located...Most major library branches carry the local newspaper on microfiche, where you can get the names of the past owners/developers from the vintage articles.

This is fascinating stuff, TabooDan. I also grew up in Ohio and although I've been there I can't ever remember seeing a tiki. I'm going to ask a few family members if they recall anything before I start digging into some fan-sites.

TikiG, I think you are on the right track about not being from the park....I researched King's Island and came up with a restaurant in Lynchburg, Va that has been opened since 1976/77. I found this on their comment page..."My ex husband used to be a delivery driver there, and when they re-modeled the restaurant, they gave him one of those huge "tiki" style masks with the red light up eyes. That huge thing sat in the corner of my living room for a year. Kinda freaky." So then I called the restaurant and they STILL use TIKI mugs...no logo on these I was told by a "newer" employee that has been there for 7 years. I am going to call the original owner when she is in next...I will keep you posted. Big Bro, I know "Devolution Begins" Hope this helps TabooDan!

Hey, thanks for all the responses on here about these items. It's cool to see how this goes as I know nothing about these items or where they come from. There are no any markings saying where these are from other than "Kings Island". No Ohio markings or anything like that.

I think Or Got Rum? may have solved the mystery with that Rest. in Lynchburg, Va.!! And they used to be or still have Tiki decor or atleast mugs??!! Sounds bang on to me! That route of investigation sounds promising! OMC did alot of different big and small restaurant locations and this may be another.

TikiG,
I am right there with you. I agree on not finding ANYTHING with a close logo, even on the opening guidebook....all seems very Germany/France/England oriented. I did find this info though...perhaps a stretch. From a Howard Johnson's Sharonville brochure from one of the group of hotels that was owned (including the King's Island Hotel) by a local corporation. The hotel group info was listed in the rear of King's Island opening guidebook....

"The Pleasure's Yours...Unlimited!
It's lush...it's plush...it's ultra modern, this glamorous,
sun-bright motor-lodge. And yet so moderate in price!
There are guest rooms for one or two or family groups.
For busy executives, the Granada and Barcelona suites
or the Summit or Diplomat for larger meetings.
For Honeymooners there's the breath-taking Garden Suite
and for escapees to the South Seas the Hawaiian Village
indoor swimming pool, terrace lounge, steam room,
children's splash pool, adjoining thatch-roofed
Mai-Tai cocktail bar. There's a Game Room...a Play Area...
a Patio...a Shimmering Lagoon!
it's all for you...it's all
FUN-Unlimited!

Hawaiian Village, a languid escape to the tropics: a paradise of temperature-controlled air; a pool and pool-side lounging retreat; luxuriant "loafing" at beachcomber prices.

Mai-Tai Cocktail Lounge, and bar just off the pool--featuring famous Polynesian snacks and "Honi-Honi" in bamboo shells: popular between-swims and after dusk rendezvous."

The mugs shown in the pics that TabooDan posted were bought in the Cincinnati area where I live. I have 2 copies of that tattoo faced mug bought at different times & thrift stores.

There was not a tiki specific venue that I recall at Kings Island when I went there as a kid. The gift shops were full of random tourist items marked with the KI logos. I do recall this logo and I'm sure I've seen it on other non-tiki items over the years. Next time I see that specific logo I'll try to get a photo of it.